Mute for cornets or the like



F. A. BECKER. MUTE FOR CORNETS OR THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 14,1919.

fatented May 25,1920.-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MUTE FOR CORNETS OR THE LIKE.

Application filed July 14, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FERDINAND A. Bremen, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State ofCalifornia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mutes forCornets or the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a mute and par ticularly to a mute which isadapted for use in conjunction with wind instruments such asa cornet,horn, trumpet, etc.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple andcheaply manufactured mute adapted for use in conjunction withinstruments such as a cornet, horn, etc., and which is so constructedthat it may be quickly inserted or removed with relation to the bell ofthe instrument employed when in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mute, one end of whichis closed by a diaphragm and in conjunction therewith to provide meansfor adjusting the movement or vibrations of the diaphragm so as toproduce novelty effects; for instance, 'a blaring or brazen sound aswhen playing syncopated music now popularly known as jazz.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction, combinationand arrange ment of parts as hereinafter more fully described andclaimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure1 is a central, longitudinal section of one form of the mute.

Fig. 2 is a similar section of another form of the mute which isparticularly adapted for use in conjunction with a so-called Frenchhorn. 4

Fig. 3 is an end View of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, particularly Fig. 1, A indicates acone-shaped tubular member constructed of paper, metal or any othersuitable material. The small end of the member is open as indicated at'2 and is adapted to be inserted in the mouth or bell-shaped end of acornet or like wind instrument as indicated at 3, the tubular memberbeing secured in this position by means of cork pads or like means 4:secured on the exterior surface of the tubular member. The opposite endis closed by means of a diaphragm 5 constructed of suitable material,the diaphragm being in this instance Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

Serial No. 310,736.

secured in position by means of a retaining ring 6.

Secured to the central portion ofthe diaphragm is a striking plate 7 andextending crosswise of the tubular member are a pair of cross bars 8 and9 disposed at right angles to each other and arranged one on each sideof the diaphragm. Secured to the cross bar 9 is a stationary stop member10 and adjustably mounted in the cross bar 8 is a screw 11 which may besecured, when adjusted, by means of a lock screw 12.

In operation, if it is desired to employ the mute, it is only necessaryto insert it in the bell-shaped mouth of the wind instrument employed,as indicated in Fig. 1. The usual mute effect may be produced bytightening the set screw 11 so as to limit the vibrations of thediaphragm to a minimum. If, when playing what is now popularly known asjazz music, it is desired to ob tain novelty effects, it is onlynecessary to loosen the set screws 11 so as to permit increasedvibration or movement of the diaphragln. Practically any effect from ablaring brazen tone to a bleat may thus be obtained. A small movement ofthe diaphragm limited by the set screw 11 produces a low or bleatingtone while increased movement of the diaphragm by slacking up on the setscrew 11 may produce anything from a brazen blaring tone to a roar, thedifferent effects being produced by the striking plate 7 engagingthe'stop members 10 and 11.

The form of mute shown in Fig. 2 is particularly constructed for use inconjunction with the so-called French horn. The main body of the mute istubular and coneshaped, as shown at B, while the inner re duced end ispartly closed by a head mem ber M through which extends a tubular member15. The opposite or enlarged end of the mute is similar in constructionto the mute shown in Fig. 1. That is, a diaphragm, preferably metallic,is employed, together with a striking plate and the ad justable stopmembers so as to permit novelty effects to be produced in conjunctionwith the French horn.

One particular feature of the form of mute shown in Fig. 2 is theprovision of the head member 1a and the tube 15. By so (loin it isossible to revent raisin or lowering of the natural tone played upon theinstrument; for instance, the majority of mutes employed at the presentday lower or raise the pitch at least a semitone, thereby rendering itnecessary for the player to transpose when employing a mute. This effectis entirely overcome when employing the mute shown in Fig. 2, and as themute is furthermore provided with the adjustable diaphragm shown, it isobvious that novelty effects may at the same time be produced.

Vhile a more or less specific construction is shown in both Fig. l andFig. 2, I wish it understood that the design and proportions employedmay be varied tosuit differ ent applications and instruments; similarly,that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be suchas the experi ence and judgment of the manufacturer may dictate.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is- 1. A mute comprising a tube-like member, a diaphragmforming a closure for one end of the member, and adjustable means forlimiting the vibratory movement of the diaphragm.

2. A; mute comprising a tube-like member, a diaphragm forming a closurefor one end of the member, and a stop member positioned adjacent thecenter of the diaphragm with which the diaphragm engages when vihrating.

:3. A. mute comprising a tube-like member, a. diaphragm forming aclosure for one end of the member, a striking plate secured to thecenter portion of the diaphragm, and an adjustable contact member withwhich the striking plate engages when the diaphragm -1S vibrating;

at. A mute comprising a cone-shapedtubular member, a diaphragm forming aclosure for the large end of the tubular member, a

pair of cross bars extending across the large end of the tubular member,one 011 each side of the diaphragm, a striking plate secured to thecenter portion of the diaphragm, and

, a contact member carried by each cross bar with which the strikingplate engages when the diaphragm is vibrating.

, lar member, a diaphragm forming a closure 5. A mute comprising acone-shaped tubufor the large end of the tubular member, a

' pair ofcross bars extending across the large by each cross bar withwhich the striking plate engages when the diaphragm is vibrating, andmeans for adjusting the position of one of: the stop members.

6. A mute comprising a cone-shaped tubular member, a diaphragm forming aclosure for the large end of the tubular member, a. cross bar extendingacross the large end of the tubular member, a striking plate secured tothe center portion of the diaphragm, and an adjustable contact membercarried by the cross bar with which the striking plate contacts when thediaphragm is vibrating.

T. A mute comprising a cone-shaped tubular member, a diaphragm forming aclosure for the large end of the tubular member, a disk member forming apartial closure for the reduced end of the tubular member, a.

tube secured in the last-named member and extending into the cone-shapedtubular member, and a stop member with which the diaphragm contacts whenvibrating.

S. A mute comprising a cone-shaped tubular member, a diaphragm forming aclosure for the large end of the tubular member, a. disk member forminga partial closure for the reduced end of the tubular member, and a tubesecured in the last-named head memher and extending into the cone-shapedtubular member, a striking plate secured to the center portion of thediaphragm, and a stop member with which the striking plate contactswhen. the diaphragm vibrates.

9. mute comprising a cone-shaped tubular member, a diaphragm forming aclosure for the large end of the tubular member, a disk member forming apartial closure for the reduced end of the tubular member, and a tubesecured in the last-named disk member and extending into the cone-shapedtubular member, a striking plate secured to the center portion of thediaphragm, and a contact member with which the striking plate engageswhen the diaphragm vibrates,"and means for adjusting the position of thestop member to increase or decrease the vibrations of the diaphragm.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

FERDINAND A. BECKER.

\Vitnesses \V. W. HEALY, M. E. EWING.

